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Thursday, 29 January 2015

Exodus 18 and 19: The Salvation of Moses' father-in-law AND God's Precious Possessions

Hello folks, I've been able to get a few minutes to blog a few wee thoughts to you from Exodus 18 and 19. Thank you to those who sent me those kind and thoughtful texts. I really appreciate you and your friendship. I'd also like to welcome our newest followers - welcome ladies, and thank you for joining in. I really hope you find blessing from these simple studies.

So, Exodus 18: The salvation of Moses' father-in-law
Moses must have sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons back to stay with her father while he had to go and confront Pharaoh, for two reasons, I imagine - for their safety and also so that Moses could focus on the mammoth task ahead of him. Now, Jethro, who had obviously heard about the Israelites escaping from the clutches of Pharaoh, comes to see Moses, bringing Zipporah and the two boys with him. Remember that Jethro was a 'priest of Midian' when we first met him and that the Midianites were a very idolatrous nation.

(v1) Jethro had heard about what God had done for His chosen people, for Israel as a nation and also for Moses as an individual; he knew that this was indeed God's doing, not Moses'

(v8) Moses spent some quality time with his father-in-law, witnessing to him about the Lord

(v9) Jethro rejoiced in God's goodness and deliverance

(v10) Jethro blessed and worshipped God

(v11) He acknowledged that Jehovah was the one and only true God

(v12) Jethro worshipped God in the right way and there was spiritual unity between him and the people of Israel

People can be saved from every and any walk of life. Sometimes it's easier to witness to strangers than it is to witness to those in our own family, but God honours those who honour Him and it could be years before we see household salvation, but we'll be patient and do what we can until God answers these prayers. Remember, it was a good 40 years from the time that Moses first met Jethro until this moment. Jethro had been steeped in idolatry when Moses first came into his life but now, here he is worshipping the Lord God Jehovah as the only living God.

Is there someone in your family (or in your circle of friends) who you've been witnessing to and praying for? Maybe it seems you have been doing this for years and years, faithfully, without any results? All God asks of you is to be faithful...witness, pray, witness and pray some more; the saving is up to Him in His own time. Don't think you haven't prayed enough or witnessed enough or done it with enough persuasion or enthusiasm. Just do as the Lord asks you and He will do the rest. Remember these words in Zechariah 4 -

6Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Exodus 19. God's Precious Possessions

What about these lovely and reassuring words to start with? Verse 4 -

"...I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself."

I was so touched by the love and tenderness that the Lord has for His people when I read these words. Here are some of the qualities an eagle has - long broad wings, keen sight, powerful flight and great affection for its young. In fact, one man wrote that most birds carry their young between their talons for fear of other birds flying above them and attacking them, but the eagle flies far above all other birds so it can carry its young on its strong wings and there is no danger from above. Then it brings the young to safety. Our God brings us to the safest place of all - to Himself. What comfort there is in these words for the Christian, especially to any who might be feeling a bit fragile or vulnerable just now. Allow yourself the joy of being carried to safety and rest by the Lord. Don't think you have to be able to bear everything and sort out every matter and be able to deal with every crisis. Let the Lord be your strength today.

Verse 5 shows us more evidence that we are very special to the Lord. He calls us His peculiar treasure. Now when I was a wee girl I used to laugh and say to my mum that something was 'funny' and she always replied 'Funny ha-ha, or funny peculiar?' peculiar meaning strange. But thankfully that's not what the Lord means about us! He means that we are a 'special' treasure, 'distinct', 'unique' or 'specific'. We are specifically His and no one else's - but there's a condition attached. He says we will be His special treasure "if" we "will obey" His "voice and keep" His "covenant".

Prayer matters: Ask the Lord to give you the strength and courage to witness to others about what He has done for you. Be gentle when witnessing.

Ask Him to help you and give you strength to carry on, especially if you find things are getting a bit difficult for you in your life circumstances. Be prepared to let Him be in control and carry you to safety.

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When you visit this blog, I'd like you to find 'a place of rest', where your soul can be refreshed from the Scriptures. I will be Blogging through the Bible and sharing with you what I learn from the Word of God, but I would also encourage you to follow through on your own and maybe even share with me what you are learning. It is a wonderful thing to be able to grow in grace and to do this we need to soak ourselves in the Word, dig deep into its treasures, learn from it and share it with others. I trust that the Lord will bless us abundantly as we walk with Him each day!

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